CSK vs SRH: Two Contrasting Styles - How Will It Make A Difference At The Chepauk?

Aashay Chopade

CSK and SRH teams in IPL 2025 (Source: AP Photos)CSK and SRH teams in IPL 2025 (Source: AP Photos)

Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have lot of similarities in IPL 2025, yet, there are lot of innate differences between the two. The Yellove Army and Orange Army as each of  their fans are fondly known, have not been a happy lot this year. They have constantly faced disappointments and that is where the similarities have begun.

Different Attitude - Same Results For Yellow And Orange Shades

The two teams are languishing at the bottom of the table, with just 2 wins out of their eight matches so far. They now are in almost a do-or-die situation, and interestingly, both of them started the season with a bang, winning their home game in a style that they are known for.

The difference though is in the style of cricket both teams play and unfortunately for their fans, they have not tried to adjust according to the situation despite results not going their way. For SRH, it is all about showing intent right from the onset even though it means they lose flurry of wickets in the process.

CSK, on the other hand, have followed an old pattern of keeping wickets in hand, and have not shown the required intent despite wickets in hand, which has led to their downfall. Let's now see how these approaches would make a difference at the Chepauk.

The wickets at the Chepauk generally support spinners, and the strokeplay is not as easy as it is on the other venues in the country. The same has been the case this season with average first innings score of 159.25, and the average run-rate being 8.07. Also, it gets difficult to score runs as the ball gets softer after the powerplay.

SRH's Bang-Bang Approach - Live By The Sword, Die By The Sword

Now, SRH openers, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head are both power-hitters and if they bat till the end of the powerplay, they are bound to score runs quickly. The same goes with the batters that follow them and despite losing wickets in clusters this season, their rate of scoring in powerplay is 9.27, on par with DC, one of the leaders of the table this season. 

Thus, if they do not lose wickets in the powerplay, then SRH might end up scoring over 60 in that period and that head start might make all the difference on a pitch where 160-170 could turn out to be a winning score. 

However, SRH is also the franchise that has lost the most wickets in the powerplay this season - 16 in eight matches, and it has resulted in them falling short of par scores in the first innings. It could happen again at the Chepauk as pitch is not likely to be conducive for blind slogging, and CSK can utilise the ultra-aggressive approach of SRH to their benefit.

CSK's Slow And Not-So-Steady Approach 

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have the lowest scoring rate in the powerplay this season, and have the run-rate of just 7.25 in that phase. They scored their first six in the powerplay in the last game which shows their conservative approach, and those slow starts have put more pressure on the batters in the lower middle order.

Also, the nature of the Chepauk pitch makes it difficult for the batters to start hitting from the onset in the middle overs and backend, and thus a good powerplay becomes crucial in those conditions. So, if CSK batters show a bit more intent in the powerplay, and mix caution with aggression more intelligently, they can be in a better position to win the game on the ground where middling scores are considered to be par.

Spin Quality Difference - CSK Gets Edge Over SRH

In IPL 2025, spinners have taken 54 percent of wickets at the Chepauk, and that is where CSK hold a major advantage. They have Noor Ahmad, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin in their arsenal, who have lot of experience and the youngest of the lot is in good form this season with 12 wickets in eight matches.

SRH, on the other hand, are pretty light in spin department. Their premier spinner, Zeeshan Ansari is playing his first season, and has five wickets in six innings while Rahul Chahar has played just one game where he went wicketless.

Conclusion

Thus, if Chennai Super Kings show a little more intent with the bat, they could take strong position against SRH unit that might find it difficult to play their aggressive cricket at the Chepauk. The bowling unit of CSK is in better form and more apt for the conditions as well, and thus this could be the match where CSK ends up winning their second game at home.